When we last left our heroes, they undertook Raikou’s challenge–a row of puzzles seemingly unrelated, yet also related–an item from each room is helpful in solving the next puzzle. As each room is tied to one of the group’s elementals, the challenges requires a little teamwork to complete. Ash and the gang complete the challenge handiy, winning the Heart of Fire and a clue to their next objective, knowing all the while that they are being followed every step of the way…

Episode 28: Yet Another Annoying Expedition

“We did it!” Ash cried as he leapt atop the pedestal and gently picked up the Heart. As he did so, the group was warped outside, where Kaichou, Wes, and Rui waited.

“You have indeed proved yourselves worthy of the Heart.” Raikou began as Kaichou took the Heart from Ash and placed it in the box where the Chain of Darkness also rested. “May you retrieve the other pieces of the Amulet just as quickly.”

“We will!” Ash replied as everyone climbed aboard Swellow.

“Your next objective is the Seafoam Islands, Young Master.” Entei began. “There you will find the piece that corresponds to ice.” Ash nodded, and motioned for Swellow to take off. As the group soared skyward, they noticed a familiar group of Rockets begging to come inside where they had just been.

“Sorry, Rockets, we’re one step ahead of you!” Leila taunted the figures of the Rockets down below.

“I wouldn’t count on that.” Wes cautioned. “There’s still the possibility that they could still have sensors in places we have yet to visit.”

“That’s true…” Ash noted.

“Furthermore, there could also be traps close by, so be on guard at all costs.” Wes continued as Swellow flew on over the Fuschia Coast, directly over another blinking sensor.

Later…

“So this is the Seafoam Islands….” Dawn noted as the group climbed off of Swellow and glanced around the familiar beaches and rocky outcroppings.

“Last time we were here, we went surfing!” Ash smiled.

“I remember that!” Brock agreed. “You and Pikachu looked like pros out there in the surf.”

“Pika!” Pikachu skittered off of Ash’s shoulder and rummaged through his master’s bag for a moment before retrieving a tiny surfboard with a thunderbolt pattern on it.

“Sorry, Pikachu, we’re not here to surf this time.” Ash sighed as he took the surfboard from Pikachu and put it away.

“Cha…” Pikachu sulked as he reluctantly returned to his perch on his master’s shoulder.

“We’ll surf after we’re done getting this Amulet piece, okay?” Brock assured Pikachu before a bird squawk off in the distance got his attention. “What was that?”

“In the sky!” Misty called, pointing out a large blue-white bird with sparkling plumage and a flowing tail heading for the cave the group was standing by. After circling above them for a moment, the bird opened its beak, and a blue-white beam of cold went streaking at a familiar red sensor, making it explode from the sheer cold.

“Wow!” Brenna was impressed.

“Articuno…” Misty gasped in awe as the bird circled to land on the beach.

“Welcome back, Young Master.” Articuno began. “Although I very much wish to hear about what has transpired since we last parted, now is not the time for reminescing. “Your clothes are enough to tell me that you are on an important mission.”

“That’s true.” Ash replied. “I want to tell you the reason for me and my friends’ new appearance, but I’m afraid it’s a long story…”

“Go ahead, take as long as you need–I have seen to it that no evil will overhear your tale.” She gestured to the frozen sensor to prove her point.

“Well, this all began when I heard the story of the Pokemon Soul Amulet.” Ash began. “Of course at the time, I thought it was just a story, but it took my finding a Mew to give me one sign the tale was true…”

Some hours later…

“…now, we have two out of the eight pieces, and have come here seeking the third after hearing from the Beasts of Johto that you guard it.” Ash concluded his tale. “What advice do you have for us, the eight chosen ones?”

“It is fortunate you have come.” Articuno begin. “That sensor outside my abode means others are also in the race to find the Amulet’s pieces.”

“We know–we have found and destroyed others like them.” Ash explained.

“I have hidden the piece connected to the holder of ice–the Mirror of Frost–deep inside the Seafoam Cave.” Articuno continued. “What’s more, the Cave is enchanted–each time you enter, the layout and the other treasures within are scrambled, so you will not receive the same treasures that you did on a previous expedition.”

“First we go through a standard dungeon, and now we’re living a roguelike?” Brenna groaned. Having to go through dungeons that looked like they existed in RPGs was bad enough, but going through a literal game of NetHack took the cake!

Articuno giggled. “No, no, if you become exhausted, you will not die permanantly–you will be teleported outside and healed.” Brenna heaved a sigh of relief at this. “If any of the eight chosen ones were to die, the story’s promise wouldn’t come true.”

“So no ‘yet another stupid deaths’?” Brock asked. Articuno nodded. “That’s good…”

“Here, it’s more like ‘yet another stupid warp’” Leila smiled. “So, let’s head inside this so-called dungeon of doom!” She motioned for the others to follow her inside the cave…

To Be Continued…

o^-^o: So is Seafoam Cave one big game of NetHack? Don’t miss Episode 29 on this Web site next week!